Craig Conover gushed about his plans to marry Paige DeSorbo weeks before they called it quits.
During a Dec. 5 interview with People, the “Southern Charm” star, 36, revealed he cut back on his drinking to “become more of a husband and father material” for DeSorbo, 32.
“I could see it in Paige’s eyes that she saw the person I could be,” he told the outlet.
Conover said he was “playing the long game” with the “Summer House” star and looked forward to taking the next step.
Craig Conover said he was “playing the long game” weeks before his split from Paige DeSorbo. caconover/Instagram
The “Southern Charm” star said he was working to be “husband material.” Instagram/paige_desorbo
“It would be easy to go for instant gratification, but the foundation that we’re building is so that we die together one day, not just make it fun,” he said.
“We know we’re going to get married one day, and when it happens, it’ll be a lot of fun, but whenever that is, who knows? Once you take yourself out of that pressure cooker and have some perspective and travel, life’s a little more simple. There’s no reason to put pressure on it.”
The couple began dating in 2021 and has dodged their fair share of breakup — and engagement — rumors since.
“We know we’re going to get married one day,” he told People in an interview published on Dec. 5. paige_desorbo/Instagram
The couple began dating in 2021. caconover/Instagram
Despite previously saying it “wouldn’t be the end of the world” if they split, Conover told the outlet he was “committed to doing what it takes” to make it work.
“We really don’t know what that looks like. We’ve got a couple years probably until we start having kids, and then we’ll have to figure it out,” he said at the time. “But I’ve really taken this normal role now of being a happy wife, happy life.”
However, he noted that they were still figuring out their living arrangements, as he is based in Charleston, SC, while DeSorbo calls New York City home.
However, they live in different cities, with Conover residing in Charleston while DeSorbo lives in New York. Getty Images for Panera
Conover hinted he was spending more and more time in NYC earlier this month. David Becker/Bravo via Getty Images
Despite spending most of his time down south, Conover told Page Six earlier this month that he was “starting to love” the NYC lifestyle.
“I think I’ll be spending more time up here,” he teased.
Conover also assured us he still wanted to settle down with the reality TV star, joking that DeSorbo “will name the babies, and [he] can name the animals.”
However, DeSorbo announced that she and the Sewing Down South went their separate ways on Monday.
He also told us he was still planning on a long future with the “Summer House” star. Page Six
DeSorbo announced her split from Conover on Monday. Getty Images
“Craig and I have decided to no longer be together,” she announced on her and Hannah Berner’s “Giggly Squad” podcast.
Despite getting emotional, DeSorbo insisted there was no bad blood between her and Conover.
“I love him. I think he loves me. I think we will remain friends,” she said. “No one did anything. It wasn’t a bad thing. I think we both were just being really mature and saying what we want and what we didn’t want, and I think that’s extremely powerful to be able to voice how you’re feeling in real time and what you want for your future.”
Despite their breakup, she said she has nothing but “love” for her ex. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
“I think he is one of the best people I’ve met in my entire life,” she told her podcast listeners. NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
She continued, “I have so much love and respect for Craig. I think he is one of the best people I’ve met in my entire life.”
Regardless of their relationship status, DeSorbo said she will remain the “biggest fan for him and want the best for him,” adding, “With that said, I think it is the right decision for both of us.”
Conover has yet to address their split.
